scholarly journals The role and attributes of social networks in the provision of support to women after stillbirth: experiences from Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Ssegujja ◽  
Yusuf Mulumba ◽  
Sally Guttmacher ◽  
Michelle Andipatin
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Community Response ◽  
Information Support ◽  
Network Approach ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Frequency Of Contact ◽  
Common Support ◽  
Social Network Approach

Abstract Introduction Communities exert stigma on mothers after stillbirth despite their potential to offer social support to the grieving family. Maternal healthcare-seeking behaviors are socially reinforced rendering a social network approach vital in understanding support dynamics which when utilized can improve community response to mothers experiencing stillbirth. However, the form and direction of social support for women when in need is not clear. The study explored the role and attributes of women’s social networks in the provision of support to mothers who have experienced a stillbirth in Uganda. Methods An exploratory cross-sectional study design adopting a social network approach was conducted. Data collection following established procedures was conducted on a convenient sample of 17 mothers who had experienced a stillbirth six months before the study. Frequencies and bivariate analysis were conducted to determine the factors influencing the provision of social support from 293 network members elicited during the alter generation. We then performed a Poisson regression on each of the social support forms and the explanatory variables. Network structure variables were calculated using UCINET version 6 while Netdraw facilitated the visualization of networks. Results Overall, social support was available from all network relations mentioned by the respondents. No major variations were observed between the two time periods during pregnancy and following a stillbirth. The most common support received was in form of intangible support such as emotional and information support, mainly from females who were married and from the naturally occurring networks such as family and friends. We also observed that social support followed patterns of network relational characteristics including trust, frequency of contact and alters counted on for support more likely to provide the same. Conclusions A great potential for social support exists within women’s social networks to help address stillbirth risk factors during pregnancy and cope after experiencing the same. Alter characteristics like being female, married, and from naturally occurring networks together with relational characteristics such as trust, frequency of contact, and count on alter for support were predictors of eventual social support. Interventions aiming at addressing stillbirth risks at the community level ought to harness these network characteristics for benefits to the mothers.

scholarly journals Social networks: Networking of social actors in the sphere of economic activities

Sociologija ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marija Babovic
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Future Development ◽  
Economic Sociology ◽  
Network Approach ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Social Actors ◽  
Fields Of Study ◽  
Social Network Approach

The article reviews one of the important fields of study in contemporary economic sociology - social networks in the sphere of economic activities. Besides basic theoretical and methodological conceptions in studying social networks that originate from general sociology and special sociological disciplines most important fields of study of social networks in economic sociology are presented. Some influential studies of social networks are analyzed; some key weaknesses of social network approach are pointed out, as well as possibility of their future development.

Social Networks

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirk A. Foster ◽  
Victoria A. Charles
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Network Approach ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Relational Patterns ◽  
Social Network Approach ◽  
Flow Through

Social networks are structures composed of relational patterns of interactions among a set of actors. These actors may be individuals, families, groups, or organizations connected through expressed ties that allow information and resources to flow through the network. Considering a social network approach in research and practice shifts the focus from the attributes of actors within the network to the relations between them. In understanding how the relational ties influence issues of concern, we may better understand phenomena and devise targeted interventions effectively and efficiently. In this article we discuss the types of social networks, provide an overview of social network analysis, use social capital to contextualize the effects of networks, and provide implications of social networks for social work research and practice.

scholarly journals From social networks to network society: A review of the macro network approach in sociology

Sociologija ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-182
Author(s):  
Dalibor Petrovic
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Social Changes ◽  
Network Approach ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Theories ◽  
History Of ◽  
Social Network Approach

Traditional sociological theories are no longer fully capable of explaining social changes in the modern world. For this reason demands for new social theories is growing. In this article the author analyses one of these attempts, by reviewing new macro social network theories. Since our sociological community is not familiar enough with network theory, the first part of the paper is devoted to outlining the history of the social network approach in general. In the second part of the paper the more recent macro social network approach is discussed as represented by its most important proponents.

Social Networks and Business Performance of Igbo Migrant Traders in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah O. Obor ◽  
Emeka E. Okafor
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Business Growth ◽  
South West ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Depth Interviews

This study focused on social networks and business performance among Igbo businessmen in Ibadan, South-west Nigeria through the exploratory research design. Social exchange, social network and social capital theories were employed as theoretical framework. Twenty-six in-depth interviews, key informant interviews and case studies were conducted with purposively selected respondents in four business locations in Ibadan. The results showed that among the factors that facilitated migration of the Igbo to Ibadan were their interest to learn a trade, their inability to attain higher education, and having a relative in Ibadan. The types of social networks available showed that social network was not location bound, as all the respondents belonged to town progressive unions and mutual benefits/cooperative associations. Social networks played vital roles in business performance, including social support, access to loan, business growth and expansion. The main challenges to maintaining adequate social network in business were distrust, envy, unbridled competition, dishonesty and inability to keep terms of agreement. The study concludes that social networks have positively influenced the business performance of migrant Igbo in Ibadan. There is need for the Igbo to strengthen their social networks through honesty, forthrightness, and transparency in all their dealings.

scholarly journals Current States and Future Trends in Safety Research of Construction Personnel: A Quantitative Analysis Based on Social Network Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 883
Author(s):  
Xiangcheng Meng ◽  
Alan H. S. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Path Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Future Trends ◽  
Network Approach ◽  
Main Path ◽  
Safety Research ◽  
Main Path Analysis ◽  
Social Network Approach

The construction industry is recognized as a high-risk industry given that safety accidents and personnel injuries frequently occur. This study provided a systematic and quantitative review of existing research achievements by conducting social network approach to identify current states and future trends for the occupational safety of construction personnel. A total of 250 peer-reviewed articles were collected to examine the research on safety issues of workers in construction industry. Social network approach was applied to analyze the interrelationship among authors, keywords, and citations of these articles using VOS viewer and CitNetExplorer. A knowledge structure map was drawn using main path analysis (MPA) towards the collected papers, which was implemented by Pajek. In line with the findings of social network analysis, five research groups, and six keyword themes were identified in accordance with the times of cooperation of researchers and correlation among keywords of the papers. Core papers were identified by using main path analysis for each research domain to represent the key process and backbone for the corresponding area. Based on the finding of the research, significant implications and insights in terms of current research status and further research trends were provided for the scholars, thus helping generate a targeted development plan for occupational safety in construction industry.

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